(pre-Christian: had a God of my own understanding or a “Higher Power”)
A giraffe you say? Yes, a giraffe! Call me crazy but I would like to begin my FIRST BLOG EVER by sharing with you the story that led me to the World Race.
I was in Seattle one day with friends shopping around when I came across a man drawing sketches at a storefront. I watched him draw a couple of pictures while they shopped around when he then asked me, “Would you like me to draw you one?”
He asked me to write my name in the middle of the piece of paper and proceeded to draw while we talked. He was a lovely man from South Africa that moved here to be with his wife. I asked how he ended up drawing in a store front…”I have always had a passion for drawing…went for a walk on the beach one day and God led me here…I have been drawing here happily for 7 years now.”
By the end of the conversation this is what he had drawn…
Isn’t she just a cutie??
I proceeded to chuckle because it was very “ironic” that he drew this picture. I told him I was originally suppose to be leaving for Kenya in 14 days on a medical mission trip (giraffe=iconic symbol for Kenya, not to mention this is just reminds me of a picturesque Africa scene) but it was cancelled unfortunately. We began talking about mission work and how he had once done the World Race.
I had never heard of it…sounded like a pretty sweet gig but honestly didn’t think much of it. I was about to graduate from PT school and was in the process of accepting a job here in WA.
Week later…my cute little giraffe was sitting on my coffee table. I flipped it over and he had written a couple websites on the back…one being the worldrace.org. Hmmm interesting? I had nothing to loose. Why not? (Not really ever thinking it would become a reality; however, I promised myself at that point that if by some crazy chance I did get accepted, I had to go). Application submitted.
Fast forward…August 14th…I GRADUATED!!! Everyone is calling me Dr. Caudle and I am on cloud nine that I get to start my dream career. My best friend, Taylor (shout out!! Love you!!), gave me a devotional for a graduation gift. The reading that day…
“Ironic” huh?
I kept going on with my daily life. I accepted a job contingent on news from the World Race. Someone from the World Race was to call me on September 10th but I forgot until the morning of, after I had already made plans to go on a hike with a friend. In my head, “Oh well it’s probably just not meant to be.”
I did not have service the entire day until this one moment when my phone rang from GA…I didn’t answer because I was absolutely terrified of this becoming a reality. I stopped and looked to my left and this is what I saw…
“Ironic” huh?? Haha are you catching on? (No I did not photoshop that picture and insert a light that looks like it is almost pointing straight at me!!)
I have always had the strongest connection with God in nature and I truly think he was speaking to me (if not yelling) on the top of that mountain that day. I called right back and rest the rest is history!!! I am going on the World Race!! 11 countries in 11 months!!
My point is none of this is “ironic”!!!! If you have open eyes, ears, and a heart He will speak to you.
Am I terrified? ABSOLUTELY! I have training camp in Georgia for a week in exactly 1 month right before I am suppose to take my PT licensing boards which I would prefer to pass before leaving the country. Not to mention, I am suppose to have $3,500 by October 15th and a total of $16,962 to make this whole thing really happen. Did I mention I turned down a well paying job to go live out of a backpack and tent for a year? I completely understand why people look at me like I am a nut when I tell them what I am doing.
Fundraising for myself is not my thing (as I am sure others feel). Never has been. So this is not really a fun thing for me to do. But I want to trust in this whole process. As I wrote this blog post I had yet another “ironic” feeling…
One question I had after leaving “Mr. Giraffe man” haha was, “How was he making that work?” He undoubtedly had unrelenting faith. But how was he making a living? He seemed so happy and free as he talked about his wife and kids but he was sitting in the front of the store drawing sketches for random people? But then I remembered I paid him $5 bucks that day….
No it wasn’t much…but who knows how many other peoples lives he touched that day. If I had known this would all transpire I would have given him a lot more! haha Honestly though what I have already learned from the situation is priceless!
I have always held the saying “actions speak louder than words” very close to my heart. With that said, I am fundraising for a wonderful organization, Adventures in Missions and God, not myself. I am just the incredibly lucky vessel God chose to use to perform His actions throughout the world : )
Thank you SO much for checking out my first blog. I hope you enjoyed! Please subscribe to my blog (share with other’s that may be interested in following!) and donate (at the top of the page) if you can, every little bit helps. All donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE!! Join in on the fun and let’s grow together!! Until next time…thanks for stopping in.
